Pro-Marijuana Candidates Dominate California Primaries

Yesterday was the California primaries where voters decide which candidates will be going head-to-head in the state's general election. And unsurprisingly, the winners were mostly pro-marijuana candidates.

Senator Dianne Feinstein easily won the Democratic primary in her bid for re-election. Feinstein was for a longtime one of the few California Democrats who did not support marijuana legalization, but she recently said she evolved on the issue and would support cannabis-related legislation going forward.

Lieutenant Governor Democrat Gavin Newsome also easily won his nomination for Governor of California yesterday as well. Newsom has been one of the biggest champions of marijuana legalization in the state, and is almost certainly going to get a promotion up to the Governor's mansion this November.

One of the more interesting races revolves around Republican congressman Dana Rohrabacher. Rohrabacher is one of the most pro-marijuana politicians in Congress, but he's also a Trump ally and was also recently exposed for having ties with Russia. Democrats believed Rohrabacher's district could be one they would flip this November. However, California has a "jungle" style primary system, where the top two vote getters in the primary face-off in the general election, regardless of party affiliation. As of right now, Rohrabacher has the most votes in his district's primary, but the second place vote getter is another Republican, Harley Rouda. If those results stick, the Democrats may not have a candidate running in a district that Hillary Clinton won in 2016. So while Rohrabacher may continue fighting for cannabis legalization, it's likely many of his other views do not align with those who support marijuana.

In other races around the state, pro-cannabis candidates dominated, which is not surprising for the state that sells and grows the most marijuana in America. The leading candidates for Secretary of State, Controller, Treasurer and Attorney General all support marijuana legalization.

So basically it seems marijuana will continue to find a home in California.

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The city of Lawrence, Kansas, is looking to make it so that a marijuana possession fine costs less than a cup of coffee for first and second time offenders. The proposed $1 possession fine would replace their current $200 penalty, as well as a $63 court fee. Those charged under the current regulations also have to undergo a court evaluation, which comes with additional costs.